Explain need of 4R concept for waste minimization.
Reduce
Reduce is to limit the amount of waste created at the source. Reducing the waste at the source means to buy only what we really need - there will be no waste to treat, when there is no waste to begin.
The vegetable vendors may give you separate plastic bags for each vegetable we buy. This also includes buying products with less packaging. By reducing consumption, we reduce or eliminate the use of products and therefore minimize the utilization of natural resources which may be required in production of those products. This would result in lesser pollution and reduction of financial burden.
Reuse
Reuse means to use something again that would be normally thrown away. Glass jar for food or plastic bags for bin liners are always thrown. Don't throw away items that are reusable. Reduce waste by making full use of any item. By reusing the products, we reuse the natural resources from which the products were manufactured to the fullest possible extent and therefore consumption of additional natural resources can be limited.
Recycle
Recycle means the product goes through a mechanical process to change its form. This is only recommended when reducing and reusing are not possible. Effective Segregation/separation is the stepping stone to ensure proper recycling. Ensure a good separation of waste into "one-material fractions that can be more easily recycled. Recyclable materials like paper, plastic, wood, cardboards, metals etc. should be properly segregated. Recycling items into new products requires the use of fewer natural resources than new production of that particular item. For example if we recycle the used papers in manufacturing new paper the numbers of tree that are required to be cut for producing papers will get reduced.
Recover
Recover is to convert waste into resources (such as electricity, heat, compost and fuel) through thermal and biological means. Resource recovery occurs after reduce, reuse and recycle have been attempted. Recover the substances /matter still left after first three R's have being applied. For examples compost can be prepared from the solid waste after separation of all recyclable materials.
